Another Breath repeats at Miami Valley

An Open Trot and a trio of first leg divisions of the Claim To Fame Late Closer series for $30,000 claimers, all for $25,000 purses, shared the spotlight on the Sunday matinee at Miami Valley Raceway.

Another Breath (Chris Page) scored for the second straight week in the top trot besting Cantab Lindy (Tyler Smith) and Walter White (Dan Noble) in 1:55.4.

Page, undoubtedly aware that front-end speed was holding up well on this day, sent the winner on a mission early and finally crossed over to the lead at the :27.4 first quarter-mile pole. Following a pedestrian :31 second panel, the 5-year-old picked up the pace to the 1:27 third station.

As the 3-1 third choice, Another Breath returned $8.40. Coupled with runnerup Cantab Lindy, the exacta paid a healthy $71.

A total of 29 $30,000 claimers went postward with eight finding new homes via the claim box in the first leg.

The first winner was Totally Kissed (Jason Brewer), who was shipped to trainer Jeff Brewer from the tough Ontario Jockey Circuit for this series, topping Go Daddy Go (Dan Noble) and Dash Point Hanover (Kyle Ater) in 1:52.4.

Get Around Town (Kayne Kauffman) copped the second division with a 1:54 score over J M Jet Set (Jason Brewer) and Our Dragon King (Dan Noble). The final split was captured by heavily favored Supreme Mach N (Tyler Smith) with a 1:55.3 tally besting E Z Noah (Trace Tetrick) and Achilles Blue Chip (John DeLong).

Only two (Supreme Mach N and Our Dragon King) of the eight horses claimed during the first leg of the series managed on-the-board finishes.

Horses will receive a 25 percent premium and race for base claiming prices of $37,500 in the second leg next Sunday and then the top earners will return to compete for a $37,500 final purse on Jan. 28. (Miami Valley)